This week I had to say goodbye to someone who was a huge part of my life for the last decade and a half. She provided comfort and a shoulder to cry on when I fought with my siblings, and watched YouTube videos with me after a long day (she loved the ones of puppies barking). She enjoyed going on long drives and adventures, and was always gracious and poised— even when she was caught chewing up a pair of my Chucks. I had to say goodbye to Little Woman, the Schlaff family’s beloved Scottish Terrier.

Losing a pet is losing a family member. In 2013, we had to say goodbye to Little Man (Little Woman’s brother) and it was heartbreaking. I still miss him to this day. I remember someone paid their respects by giving us a framed copy of the story of the Rainbow Bridge, a tale about pets and their people being reunited in the afterlife and crossing “the rainbow bridge” (a pathway between an Earthly life and a Heavenly one) together— the ultimate walk to the park! Despite not being religious, I was very moved by the story and the gesture. Later, I showed my boyfriend the poem and cried to him about how unfair it was that dogs don’t live as long as humans. He attempted to cheer me up by telling me, “It’s ok. Little Man’s not hurting anymore. He’s in Asgard with Thor now.” At the time, Thor: The Dark World was about to debut in theaters, and trailers regularly showed clips of Idris Elba‘s Heimdall guarding the magnificently colored Bifrost Bridge. Through my tears, I smiled.

Little Woman will forever be missed. I couldn’t even get through this article without crying, remembering the adorable and wonderful things she did over the years, before she got sick. But there is a small comfort when I picture her with Little Man, playing fetch with Mjölnir on the Rainbow Bridge.

Rest in peace, Little Ones. We love you!

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